INTERVIEW: Mark Robins reflects on City's New Year's Day win at the Ricoh

Mark Robins' side climb into the automatic promotion places after a 1-0 victory over Chesterfield at the Ricoh.

Marc McNulty's ninth goal of the season was enough to seal the win and make it six points in three days.

"We have had a good christmas period and now we find ourselves in the top three," said Robins.

"The lads have been brilliant. We defended really well. Sometimes we dropped a little too deep but we defended everything really well. Jordan Willis, Tom Davies and the full-backs were all oustanding.

"Sparky [McNulty] has got us a really good goal. Some of the attacking play in the second half was really good but we just couldn't get that second goal.

"Their goalkeeper has made a couple of oustanding saves and we have not been able to capitalise and finish them off.

"The fatigue was there for both teams after this busy period but the lads gave everything. I think Chesterfield did aswell. They have had a right good go at use because they felt they could get back in it with a goal, but we hung on for the clean sheet.

Exeter's 2-1 defeat to midtable Newport County meant the Grecians would fall from third to seventh allowing City to climb into the automatic promotion places for the first time since August's 2-0 win away at Grimsby.

"We pay attention to the league table. If you are at the other end of the table you pay attention to it every minute. It puts us in a really good position as we start this new year.

"Everybody is delighted in the dressing room. We failed to win at Port Vale but other than that we have taken maximum points from the Christmas period. That is fantastic.

"Six points after the trip to Carlisle and then to play here again six days later is absolutely phenomenal, and with youngsters on the pitch."

He added: "We will enjoy this win and prepare for Stoke City next in the FA Cup. The lads were magnificent today and the supporters appreciated it and were behind the team right until the end.

"I am glad that we start the year in third and hopefully we can kick on from here and I wish everybody a very happy new year."